Psychologists: remarks about excess weight provoke obesity

A recent study from the University of California found that making comments about being overweight can increase the risk of obesity. Scientists have found that girls who were teased and called fat in childhood are more likely to have problems with excess weight in the future.

The study involved 2,379 girls aged 10 years. They were asked whether their family and friends call them chubby. About 58% answered yes. The scientists recorded the answers and measured the girls' height and weight.

After 9 years, the girls’ parameters were studied again. After analyzing the data, scientists noticed that girls who were teased in childhood were 1.66 times more likely to be overweight in the future. Moreover, the more often and more people called the girl “overweight,” the more confidently she gained excess weight.

These results show that making comments about being overweight can have serious health consequences. They can cause stress and negative emotions, which in turn can lead to eating habits that contribute to weight gain.

A. Janet Tomiyama, an assistant professor of psychology at the College of Letters and Science at UCLA and lead author of the study, said scientists are very surprised by this connection. This takes the influence of the psychological factor on the tendency toward excess weight to a new level. She also noted that it is important to avoid comments about weight, especially in children and adolescents, so as not to harm their health and self-esteem.

Overall, this study highlights the importance of understanding that eating habits and weight may be related to psychological factors. So, instead of criticizing others for their weight, it is important to support them and help them achieve health and well-being.